Los Angeles - Maternity leave is hard to come by in the United States. So, too, are families with the wherewithal, or the professional leeway, to have one parent take months off work. Hence the arrival of a new trend: companies who allow new mothers to bring their babies to work.

It sounds nuts at first, but the trend is catching on - and not just at mother-and-baby-related business such as baby carrier manufacturers or Mothering magazine. According to a new lobby group called the Parenting in the Workplace Institute, babies are now a feature at work stations in dozens of design companies, advertising agencies, law firms, banks and food manufacturers.  read more »

When I was in the work force and childless, I recall having a conversation with a co-worker, which really irked me. At the time, this co-worker I’ll call Jack, had one son and I had two beloved cats that meant the world to myself and my then-boyfriend-now -husband. Bubba, the oldest cat and Theo the young one were very much like our babies, we completely related to people that treated their pets like royalty and we totally poo-pooed people that were not animal friendly. I honestly think we even felt suspicious of people who said they were allergic to cats, oh sure you are… you animal hating jerk.  read more »

I know so much of the time we super moms make it look fun & easy. Like having a kid just means building sand castles and watching cartoons. So I just have to say a few words to the childless 20-somethings out there that are just itching to jump on the parent band-wagon. It’s not easy. Really the only ‘easy’ part of having a child is loving that child and even that (for reasons I don’t understand) can be a challenge to some people. The challenges are so numerous, the reality so different from the fantasy, that I dare not attempt to list these aspects. Instead my message to you is this:

Go forth and accomplish everything you’ve ever wanted, dreamed of or given a second thought to. Because once you have a child that, at the very, very least gets put on hold for about 18 years. If you ever thought you might like to take a screen-writing class, or learn karate, or bungee jump - do it now. Don’t wait a second more. Right now, while childless you have two things - the time and the energy.  read more »